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LSUS Graduate Student in Education Gets Surprised with Her Own Commencement in Zambia

May 03, 2018

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA-For LSUS graduate student Mandy Ray earning her master's in education was a milestone event, but the prospect of missing her commencement ceremony this May was a downer.

Coming to the rescue: her husband, Justin Ray, who decided to erase that sadness with a surprise graduation ceremony, complete with the appropriate cap, gown and colorful master's degree academic regalia from LSU in Shreveport.

"She was completely surprised and over the moon excited to be able to have a ceremony and represent the school," Ray said in an email. "Plus, I'm pretty sure that this was the first and possibly last LSUS graduation in Zambia."

He thanked Cindy Armstrong, interim bookstore manager, and staff for shipping the commencement regalia to Africa.

"I just wanted to again say' thank you' for all of the help I received from the bookstore staff," he said on April 27. "You guys made today a very special day for Mandy."